News Flash

LIVE OAK, FLA., May 15, 2018 – As Florida’s population continues to increase, so does its need for water. Within the Suwannee Valley, the demand for water is expected to increase by 30 million gallons of water per day by 2035. Florida manages water supply demands through the implementation of planning and projects that reduce and reuse water.

To bring awareness to the importance of water reuse projects, the Suwannee River Water Management District (District), in partnership with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and other water management districts, is celebrating the week of May 13 as Water Reuse Week.

Water reuse is the practice of using reclaimed water (storm runoff or wastewater), instead of fresh groundwater or surface water such as rivers, lakes or streams, to meet a water supply demand. It reduces demands on valuable surface and ground waters used for drinking water sources, eliminates discharges that may pollute valuable surface waters and recharges ground water resources.

“Working with our local communities and stakeholders is essential to identifying innovative opportunities for water reuse,” said Hugh Thomas, executive director for the District. “Where ever we can save groundwater and surface water use - we should. Conservation is not optional if we want to ensure water is available for nature and for future generations.”

Florida is a national leader in reuse. Since 2005, the District has received over $21 million for reuse projects and partnered with the cities of Lake City, Live Oak, Monticello and Alachua to provide funding assistance for established reclaimed water programs for their local utilities. Through the funding, these communities created reuse water for residential and commercial irrigation, golf course irrigation, industrial machinery cooling, roadway maintenance and more.

Reuse is an integral part of meeting the state’s existing and future water supply needs while sustaining natural systems. The District, along with its state partners, continue to work together to enhance coordination, consistency and efficiencies of reclaimed water projects.

The mission of the Suwannee River Water Management District is to protect and manage water resources using science-based solutions to support natural systems and the needs of the public. The District holds true to the belief of water for nature, water for people. Headquartered in Live Oak, Florida, the District serves 15 surrounding north-central Florida counties.

For more information about the District, visit www.mysuwanneeriver.com or follow us on Facebook and Twitter, search @SRWMD.
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